The mission of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is to foster opportunities for businesses to grow and for communities to succeed and thrive in a global economy. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania citizens while assuring transparency and accountability in the expenditure of public funds.

Local Government & Community

Local Government Information

DCED’s Municipal Statistics office collects data from municipalities through required e-Filing forms and publishes the information in a series of online databases and reports.

The legislative due date of April 1 to submit the DCED Annual Audit and Financial Report has not changed. However, we will not penalize municipalities if they have not submitted the Audit by April 1.

2020 AG-385 & 2019 Act 205 AVR Forms: Despite the shutdown, we are continuing to accept, process, answer questions and return phone calls related to these forms. With the due date of March 31, 2020 still in effect, we appreciate your efforts to comply by the due date. Should you have any questions related to the 2020 AG-385 form, please email dpeifer@paauditor.gov or comptroller@paauditor.gov. Should you have any questions related to the 2019 Act 205 AVR form, please email MPRP@paauditor.gov.

PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Quarterly Permit Filings

Important update to the quarterly permit filings for UCC. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DCED can no longer accept mailed checks. On April 16th and moving forward, all UCC filing payments must be done using ACH (TeleCheck) or by credit card.

Commonwealth Community Resources

Earned Income Tax (EIT) Rate Information

Act 10 of 2020, recently signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf, directs that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) coordinate the filing extension and payment deadlines of the Local Earned Income Tax so that they coincide with State filing extensions.

INDIVIDUALS: With the enactment of Act 10 of 2020, the filing deadline for 2019 Individual Earned Income Tax Returns in Pennsylvania has been extended to July 15, 2020. This means taxpayers will have an additional 90 days to file from the original deadline of April 15.

This extension applies to both 2019 individual tax returns and payments as well as estimated payments for the 1st quarter of 2020. Additionally, all penalties and interest will be waived on 2019 earned income tax payments through the new deadline of July 15, 2020.

Some localities and collection agencies have already announced extensions for local earned income tax returns – the enactment of Act 10 now makes this universal to ALL municipalities in the Commonwealth.

USDA Rural Development COVID-19 Impacted Communities

USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses, and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Read the full announcement to learn more about the opportunities USDA Rural Development is implementing.

Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP)

COVID-19 Housing Guidance

Quarantine Sheltering for Homeless Populations Guidance
Individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness may be at risk for infection when there is community spread of COVID-19. The PA Department of Health Services has issued guidance to support those in the response planning for these individuals.

Emergency Housing for Isolated & Quarantined Persons In PA
This emergency housing guidance applies to those individuals identified as requiring emergency housing due to their status as either a person who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus or awaiting testing results and therefore in quarantine status according to current PA DOH guidelines and not having the ability to return to their residence post discharge from a hospital, or while under medical testing and surveillance, either because of lacking a permanent resident, being transient and without residence in PA, or a change in domicile resulting from infection with COVID-19.

Food Assistance Program and Resources

Access to Food Survey
We need your feedback! Take a minute to complete a quick survey if you or your family are suddenly in need of food. We’re working with our Emergency Food Task Force on how to best serve Pennsylvanians. Share your thoughts by completing the Access to Food Survey. And please pass this survey along to your employees and others who may be impacted.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
No Pennsylvanian should ever go hungry. The Department of Health is continuing to process applications and benefit renewals for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Pennsylvanians can apply for SNAP online at the COMPASS website.

Emergency Food Assistance (Food Banks or Food Pantries)
The Department of Agriculture has issued guidance for accessing emergency food assistance for Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger due to measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Food Distribution by School Districts
Pennsylvania sought and received approval from the Federal government to allow schools to distribute meals at no cost while closed due to COVID-19. Visit the PA Department of Education website to learn more.

412 Food Rescue (Western PA)412 Food Rescue partners with food retailers, volunteer drivers, and nonprofit organizations to connect surplus food with individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity by rescuing unsellable but perfectly good food and getting it to nonprofit organizations. Download the mobile app Food Rescue Hero to become a volunteer hero and move food from donors to nonprofit partners to help those in need during COVID-19.

Food Connect (Eastern PA)
Committed to bridging the gap between surplus food and hunger, Food Connect leverages smart technology to pool resources and make deliveries efficient for hunger relief efforts. Use the Food Connect app to schedule a pickup and donate your food to a local shelter in seconds to help during the COVID-19 crisis.

Other Community Resources

Pennsylvania 211: Get Connected. Get Help.
If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, Pennsylvania 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to #898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free.